WFS takes fi rst step into Latin America

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has taken its first step into the Latin America ground handling market by acquiring a controlling shareholding in Orbital Group, one of Brazil’s leading providers of ramp, passenger and airport security services.

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has taken its first step into the Latin America ground handling market by acquiring a controlling shareholding in Orbital Group, one of Brazil’s leading providers of ramp, passenger and airport security services. Th e investment is also timed to serve as a platform for France-based WFS to enter the cargo handling market in Brazil as new opportunities emerge.

Founded in 2002, Orbital has operations at 19 airports across Brazil and handles some 23,000 flights a year for over 30 major airline customers. Th e company employs 1,700 staff and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, and generates annual sales of approximately US$40 million.

“We’ve been looking for an entry point to the Latin America market for a number of years,” said Olivier Bijaoui, president & CEO of WFS. “Rather than jump at the first opportunity, we have waited for the right one to come along. Brazil was a clear choice because of its economic strength, growth and the scale of commercial aviation to support the objectives we have in entering the market.

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